What Causes Cataracts?

Cataract are a normal part of life. For most people, cataracts happen as they get older. But not always; some younger individuals get cataracts as well. What actually causes cataracts?

Cataracts are the result of the natural lens inside your eye becoming cloudy over time. The most common types of cataracts are age-related and are due to cross-linking of the chemical bonds within the lens over time. As the natural lens becomes cross-linked, it no longer is able to retain its transparency. A cataract is formed. Over the years, many people have tried to identify what causes these cataracts to see whether they can be prevented or slowed. There are a few weak associations with UV light, smoking, diet and genetics but for the most part cataracts just happen without regard.

However, there are other types of cataracts which do have distinct causes. These types of cataracts are often related to medical conditions. There are two conditions in particular well known to cause cataracts.

• The first condition is diabetes. High uncontrolled blood sugars in diabetes over a long period of time causes cataracts (as well as lots of other issues in the eye and the rest of the body). The high amount of sugars cause the natural lens to swell. This swelling causes a breakdown in the structure of the lens over time.
• The second is the prolonged use of steroids in any form; pills, iv, eyedrops, nasal spray, injections. This is especially important to know for medical conditions that require prolonged steroids (and fortunately steroid-sparing medications do exist). High amounts of steroids (for incompletely understood reasons), cause a clouding on the back side of the lens leading to high amounts of glare.

While there are a few very well known causes of cataracts, many cataracts just happen. So it helps to take care of the preventable causes but either way cataract surgery can take care of all causes.

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